ON THE PRAIRIE 15 



But while so much more war}- than deer, it 

 is also at times much more foolish, and has 

 certain habits some of which, such as its in- 

 ordinate curiosity and liability to panic, have 

 already been alluded to that tend to its des- 

 truction. Ordinarily, it is a far more dif- 

 ficult feat to kill an antelope than it is to kill 

 a deer, but there are times when the former 

 can be slaughtered in such numbers that it 

 becomes mere butchery. 



The prong-horn is pre-eminently a grega- 

 rious animal. It is found in bands almost 

 all the year through. During the two or 

 three days after he has shed his horns and 

 while the new ones are growing the buck re- 

 tires to some out-of-the-way spot, and while 

 bringing forth her fawns the doe stays by 

 herself. But as soon as possible each again 

 rejoins the band; and the fawns become 

 members of it at a remarkably early age. 

 In the late fall, when the bitter cold has be- 

 gun, a large number of these bands collect 

 together, and immense herds are formed 

 which last throughout the winter. Thus at 



